18 DECEMBER 2023

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Topic 1 : Valparai plateau

Why in news: With the annual migration season of elephants nearing its peak in the Valparai plateau, the Forest Department, non governmental organisations like the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) and residents of the hill station are all prepared to ensure free movement of the pachyderms.

Key details:

• Accustomed to the annual migration of elephants from the Kerala side, residents of the plateau and estate workers have learnt the way to avoid negative interactions between the large herbivores.
• The migration of elephants from the Kerala side starts in September and Valparai’s mosaic landscape of estates and fragmented forest patches serves as key habitats for them. The migration ends by March.

About Valparai Plateau:

• Valparai was originally known as Poonachimalai is located in Tamil Nadu.
• It consists of Anamalai Tiger Reserve.
• It is located 3,474 feet above sea level on the Anaimalai Hills range of the Western Ghats.
• While major portions of the land are owned by private tea companies, large forest areas continue to be out of bounds.
• It is close to the border with Thrissur district of the Kerala state.
• Valparai has a mild tropical monsoon climate (Am) with a short dry season and a long rainy season.
• It is one of the wettest places in Tamil Nadu.

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Topic 2 : Exercise Astrashakti

Why in news: India has demonstrated the firepower of its Akash surface-to-air (SAM) weapon system during the Air Force Exercise Astrashakti 2023.
 

Key details:

• A single firing unit engaged and destroyed four unmanned targets simultaneously, marking the first time India has demonstrated this capability using command guidance.
• The Akash weapon system, developed by DRDO, has been deployed by the Indian Air Force and Army for the last decade.
• With this demonstration, India has become the first to demonstrate the capability of engaging four targets simultaneously at such ranges by command guidance using a single firing unit.

About Akash missile system:

• Akash is a mid-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system built by India’s state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• The missile was developed under the integrated guided-missile development programme (IGMDP).
  • The programme also involved the development of the Nag, Agni and Trishul missiles, as well as the Prithvi ballistic missile.
• The Akash, with a range of up to 25 km, is primarily used for protecting vulnerable areas and points from air attacks.
• The Akash weapon system can simultaneously engage multiple targets in group mode or autonomous mode.
• It has built-in Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM) features, which means that it has mechanisms on-board that can counter the electronic systems that deceive the detection systems.
• The entire weapon system has been configured on a mobile platform.
• A full Akash missile system comprises:
  • a launcher,
  • set of missiles,
  • a control centre,
  • an built-in mission guidance system
  • a C4I (command, control communication and intelligence) centres and
  • supporting ground equipment along with a radar named Rajendra which accompanies each of the missile batteries.

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Topic 3 : Surat Diamond Bourse

Why in news: Prime Minister of India will inaugurate the newly-built Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) in Gujarat.
 

Key details:

• It is claimed to be the world’s biggest office space in a single project.
• The complex has reportedly beaten the US’s Pentagon in capacity by having 4,200 diamond trading offices.
• The Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) has been planned to expand and shift the diamond trading business from Mumbai to Surat, the hub of cutting and polishing diamonds.
• Surat’s diamond trading market is located at present in Mahidharpra Hira bazaar and Varachha Hira Bazaar, where traders make transactions standing on the streets with almost no security measures.
• A major part of the diamond trading, however, happens in Mumbai at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), which has the amenities for international buyers.

More about the project:

• The SDB has been built on an area of 66 lakh square feet at DREAM (Diamond Research and Mercantile) city.
• The Surat Diamond Bourse has the capacity of about 4,200 offices.
• The bourse has nine towers, each with ground plus 15 floors.
• All diamond-related activities and infrastructure, such as sale of rough diamonds and polished diamonds, diamond manufacturing machineries, software used in diamond planning, diamond certificate firms, lab-grown diamonds, etc. will be available in the bourse.
• The thematic landscaping is based on the ‘panch tatva’ theme, comprising the five elements of nature (air, water, fire, earth, and sky).
• The governing body
  • The SDB core committee has seven members.
  • The committee had purchased land from the state government at Rs 627 crore.Topic 4 : Ketamine

Why in news: An actor recently passed away from the acute effects of ketamine.

About ketamine:

• Ketamine is an anaesthetic that has been listed as a hallucinogen by the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
• It’s referred to as a “dissociative anaesthetic hallucinogen” because it creates a feeling of detachment from pain and the environment.
• In the US, ketamine was first used as an anaesthetic for animals in the 1960s.
• Around a decade later, the US Food and Drug Administration approved it for humans.
• The drug’s use for treating depression and other mental illnesses is recent.
• Owing to its powerful effects, ketamine is consumed by those patients who haven’t responded to traditional therapies.
• Ketamine is also used as a recreational drug, popularly known as K or Special K among clubgoers.

How is ketamine consumed?

• Mental illness patients usually take ketamine through an IV, nasal spray or tablet.
• Ketamine can also be injected or smoked.

Effects of ketamine:

• Ketamine garnered popularity as it affects brain receptors that traditional antidepressants do not target.
• If taken in high doses, the anaesthetic quality of ketamine becomes more pronounced.
• Some may find it difficult to move and may feel numb, and can experience more graphic hallucinations.
• If taken only for medicinal purposes and in the right doses, ketamine is safe to consume and very effective in treating mental illnesses.
• The drug can be addictive and, when taken chronically in high doses, can cause severe bladder damage.Topic 5 : Post Office Bill, 2023

Why in news: After being passed in the Rajya Sabha, the Post Office Bill, 2023, was brought to the Lok Sabha for consideration.
 

Key provisions of the Bill:

• Repeal of old law:
  • It seeks to repeal the 125-year-old Indian Post Office Act of 1898.
  • The Bill aims to consolidate and amend the law relating to Post Office in India.
• Provisions on prohibited items:
  • It allows post officers to hand over postal items to customs authorities if they are suspected to contain any prohibiteditem, or if such items are liable to duty which includes:
    • any explosive,
    • dangerous, filthy, noxious or deleterious substance,
    • any sharp instrument not properly protected, or
    • any living creature which is either noxious or likely to injure postal articles or postal service officers in the course of transmission.
• Interception power:
  • The power to intercept any prohibited or restricted articles during transmission by post, or any postal article for public good during emergency or in the interest of public safety could also be exercised by the government and its officials.
  • The Bill contains provisions that allow the Centre to intercept, open, or detain any item, and deliver it to customs authorities in the interest of:
    • state security,
    • friendly relations with foreign states,
    • public order,
    • emergency,
    • public safety, or
    • contravention of other laws.
• Exemption:
  • It exempts the Post Office and its officer from any liability by reason of any loss, mis-delivery, delay, or damage in course of any service provided by the Post Office, except such liability as may be prescribed.
• Penalties:
  • The 2023 Bill removes all penalties and offences under the 1898 Act. For example:
    • offences committed by post office officials such as misconduct, fraud, and theft, among others, have been deleted entirely.
    • If anyone refuses or neglects to pay the charges for availing a service provided by the Post Office, such amount shall be recoverable as if it were an arrear of land revenue due from them.
• Removes Centre’s exclusivity
  • The present Bill has removed Section 4 of the 1898 Act, which allowed the Centre the exclusive privilege of conveying by post, from one place to another, all letters.
  • It has also widened the ambit of the law in order to intercept and detain any postal article, as opposed to just letters.
• Private services:
  • The 2023 Bill, for the first time, regulates private courier services by bringing it under its ambit.

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Topic 6 : Selecting Election Commissioners

Why in news: Recently, the Rajya Sabha passed The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Office and Terms of Office) Bill, 2023.
 

Key details:

• It is likely to be enacted into a law after being passed by the Lok Sabha in the current winter session.
• It provides for the procedure for appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the other two Election Commissioners (ECs).

What does the Constitution say?

• Article 324 provides for the composition of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• It consists of the CEC and two other ECs.
• The Constitution provides that the appointment of the CEC and EC shall, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament, be made by the President.
• While the existing parliamentary law provides for their conditions of service, it is silent with respect to appointments.
• The appointments till date are made by the President, that is the Central Government and there is no mechanism for ensuring independence during the appointment process.

Ruling of the Supreme Court:

• The Supreme Court in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) recently held that there has been a legislative vacuum due to the absence of any law by Parliament in the last 73 years (since the adoption of the Constitution) with respect to the appointment of the CEC and EC.
• The independence of the ECI is essential for ensuring free and fair elections that is paramount for a vibrant democracy.
• The Supreme Court drew reference to various other institutions supporting constitutional democracy that have independent mechanisms for the appointment of its head/members like:
  • the National and State Human Rights Commission,
  • the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),
  • Information Commission,
  • Lokpal etc.
• In the past, the Dinesh Goswami Committee on Electoral Reforms (1990) and the Law Commission in its 255th report on Electoral Reforms (2015), had suggested that the CEC and ECs should be appointed by a committee consisting of:
  • the Prime Minister,
  • the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and
  • the Leader of the Opposition or the largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
• Considering these recommendations, the Supreme Court, exercising its powers under Article 142 (to issue directions for doing ‘complete justice’ in any matter), laid down that the CEC and ECs shall be appointed by a committee consisting of:
  • the Prime Minister,
  • the CJI and
  • the Leader of the Opposition or the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
• It said that this mechanism shall be in place till Parliament enacts a law on this matter.

The proposed law:

• The CEC and other ECs shall be appointed from persons who are holding or have held a post equivalent to the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
• There shall be a search committee headed by the Minister of Law and Justice, who shall prepare a panel of five persons for consideration to the selection committee.
• The CEC and EC shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of this selection committee consisting of:
  • the Prime Minister,
  • the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and
  • a Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
• It is for the first time that the Parliament is proposing a structured mechanism for identification of suitable persons for the post of CEC and EC.
• However, this bill removes the CJI from the selection process that was laid down in the Anoop Baranwal case.

Best practices globally:

• In South Africa, the President of the Constitutional Court, representatives of the Human rights Court and gender equality are involved.
•  In the U.K., the House of Commons approves the candidates.
• In the U.S., the appointment is by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Way forward:

• While the proposed Bill moves the appointment process from just an executive decision to a committee-based selection, it is still tilted in favour of an incumbent government.
• The Supreme Court had considered the recommendations of various committees and also the mechanism for appointment to certain independent bodies like the CBI (where the CJI is involved) before laying down its selection procedure.
• While it is the prerogative of Parliament to legislate on this subject, it may have been appropriate to retain the CJI in the selection committee to ensure utmost independence.
• However, in all likelihood the Bill is likely to be enacted into a law in its present form.
• It would be laudable and instil a great deal of confidence in the public about the functioning of the ECI, if the selections under the new law are made by unanimous decisions by the proposed selection committee.About the ECI:
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional body.
• It was established to conduct and regulate elections in the country.
• Article 324 of the Constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections to parliament, state legislatures, the office of the President of India, and the office of vice-president of India shall be vested in the election commission.
• The body administers elections to:
  • the Lok Sabha,
  • Rajya Sabha,
  • State Legislative Assemblies,
  • State Legislative Councils and
  • the office of the President and
  • the office of the Vice President.Topic 7 : European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act

Why in news: The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act is a significant legislative initiative aimed at regulating artificial intelligence technologies within the EU.
 

Key details:

• With the growing influence of AI across various sectors, the EU seeks to strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring ethical and responsible AI development.
• The objectives of the EU AI Act are:
  • to create a regulatory framework for AI technologies,
  • mitigate risks associated with AI systems, and
  • establish clear guidelines for developers, users, and regulators.
• The act aims to ensure the responsible use of AI by protecting fundamental rights and promoting transparency in AI applications.

The strengths of the Act

• Risk-based approach:
  • The legislation categorises AI applications into different risk levels, ranging from unacceptable to low.
  • This approach enables tailored regulations, with higher-risk applications subject to more stringent requirements.
  • This flexibility acknowledges AI technologies’ diverse potential impact on society.
• Prohibition of certain practices:
  • It also explicitly prohibits certain AI practices deemed unacceptable, such as:
    • social credit scoring systems for government purposes,
    • predictive policing applications, and
    • AI systems that manipulate individuals such as emotional recognition systems at work or in education.
  • This prohibition reflects the EU’s commitment to preventing the misuse of AI technologies.
• Transparency and Accountability:
  • The EU AI Act emphasises transparency and accountability in AI development and deployment.
  • It requires developers to provide clear information about the capabilities and limitations of AI systems, enabling users to make informed decisions.
• Regulatory oversight mechanism:
  • The legislation mandates that developers maintain comprehensive documentation to facilitate regulatory oversight.
  • To ensure compliance with the regulations, the EU AI Act introduces the concept of independent conformity assessment.
  • Higher-risk AI applications like medical devices, biometric identification, and access to justice and services, must undergo assessment processes conducted by third-party entities.
  • This approach enhances objectivity and reduces the risk of conflicts of interest, contributing to the credibility of the regulatory framework.

Limitations:

• No accuracy in the definition:
  • One of the criticisms of the EU AI Act is the challenge in accurately defining and categorising AI applications.
  • The evolving nature of AI technologies may make it difficult to establish clear boundaries between different risk levels, potentially leading to uncertainties in regulatory implementation.
• A hurdle to businesses:
  • It has also been argued that the stringent regulations in the EU may hinder the competitiveness of European businesses in the global AI market.
  • While the Act aims to ensure ethical AI practices, some fear that overly restrictive measures could stifle innovation and drive AI development outside the EU.
  • Compliance with the EU AI Act may impose a significant burden on smaller businesses and start-ups.
  • The resources required for conformity assessments and documentation may disproportionately affect smaller players in the AI industry, potentially limiting their ability to compete with larger, more established counterparts.

Potential implications

• Setting precedents and norms:
  • The EU AI Act is likely to have a global impact, influencing the development and deployment of AI technologies beyond the EU’s borders.
  • As a major economic bloc, the EU’s regulatory framework may set a precedent for other regions, shaping the trajectory of AI development on a global scale, just like the MiCa regulation did for crypto-assets.
  • By prioritising ethical considerations and fundamental rights, the EU AI Act contributes to the establishment of global norms for AI development.
• Innovation and competitiveness:
  • The impact on innovation and competitiveness will depend on the balance struck by the EU between regulation and fostering a conducive environment for AI development.
• Collaboration and cooperation:
  • It encourages collaboration and cooperation between regulatory authorities, fostering a unified approach to AI regulation.
  • International collaboration in regulating AI technologies is essential to address global challenges and ensure consistent standards across borders.

Administration of the Act:

• Any individual has the right to report instances of non-compliance.
• The EU member states’ market surveillance authorities will be responsible for enforcing the AI Act.
• There will be specific limits on fines applicable to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.
• The EU will establish a centralised ‘AI office’ and ‘AI Board.’

Conclusion:

• The EU’s AI Act represents a significant step towards regulating AI technologies responsibly and ethically.
• While it addresses key concerns associated with AI, such as transparency, accountability, and risk mitigation, there are challenges and potential drawbacks that need careful consideration.
• The global impact of the EU AI Act and its potential to shape international norms make it a landmark initiative in the ongoing discourse on the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence.Topic 8 : Quote: Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole

Why in news: Idiom such as ‘Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole’, have often been invoked in debates.

Key details:

• The question of improving the lives of disadvantaged groups in society has been asked time and again.
• Various policies have tried to achieve effective resource allocation, but there often seems to be a conflict between the two methods of solving such problems.
• One school of thought says that people must be empowered by providing them with certain basic amenities.
• Another says that such attempts amount to doles, the word that refers to the handouts and cash given to unemployed people by the government.

What doles mean and why they are given out?

• Doles have emerged as part of government policy, particularly from pro-working class parties in modern-day politics.
• While in times of low economic activity, they have been given out as direct cash handouts, it has come to include benefits such as insurance provided to employees by companies or the government.
• In a more general sense, the philosophy behind such benefits is to empower people through some kind of material support.
• If the basic needs of a population are met in terms of food, shelter, medical care, schooling for their children, etc., they are more healthy, capable of being more productive as citizens, and have money to spend in other areas of the economy.
• This can potentially have a positive, multiplier effect for all sectors.
• By virtue of its role as a facilitating agent for society and the economy, it is also seen as the part of government’s responsibility to provide certain benefits.

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Relevance in Indian context:

The Indian state is seen as a largely welfarist state, and Article 38 of the Constitution also says, “The State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a social order in which justice, social, economic and political, shall inform all the institutions of the national life.”

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Criticism of doles:

• Assistance of this nature should slowly cease to be needed in society.
• It goes against the conventional wisdom, which says a man should be taught how to fish, meaning become productive, instead of having to be fed fish, that is have him depend on other people to meet his needs.
• Ideally, most people should become so well-equipped as to eventually achieve their aspirations, and should not need to rely on doles.
• The freebies that political parties promise during elections, such as free electricity and water up to a certain limit of usage, are not welfaristic in nature.
• They are seen as enticements to voters.
• Fulfilling such promises after coming to power means more expenditure from the government’s side and the potential ‘waste’ of taxpayers’ money.
• This can have long-term financial implications for the government, particularly if such benefits do not yield returns in terms of the productivity of a population.